Controversial Shrewsbury homes proposal set for approval

Controversial plans for 17 homes on greenfield land were being recommended for approval by Shropshire Council's planning department today, despite almost 200 residents signing a protest petition.

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The authority's officers have recommended that the central planning committee approves the plans for 17 homes, a new access road and parking on land off Greenfields Recreation Ground, Falstaff Street, Shrewsbury.

But 191 residents have signed a petition with fears over the development increasing traffic, affecting the nearby play park and putting pressure on the nearby primary school.

Under the plans, six of the homes would have three storeys and have four bedrooms, and 11 of the homes would have two storeys and three bedrooms. Two of the houses will be affordable homes.

Vehicle access would be from Falstaff Street and a turning head would be provided at the north end of the site capable of accommodating turning cars, vans, and refuse vehicles. Pedestrian access would be along a pavement on the west side of new roadway.

The site previously had an outline application granted in 2012 for eight homes.

Documents in the application say that the houses would face the recreation ground, and have similar form and scale to the homes on Falstaff Street.

It adds: "Design cues have been taken from local influences, including stone heads and cills, small bay windows and brick corbelling."

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The site would be accessed off the main Ellesmere Road into Shrewsbury via the residential streets of Greenfields and Falstaff Street to the south.

To the north of the site of the site is allotments and Greenfields School lies further to the west.

The developed site is located and within the former grounds of Greenfields house, which is understood to have been laid out in the mid-19th century.

Case officer Jane Raymond says in the plans: "Whilst the Historic Environment Record does not contain any records relating directly to the proposed development site itself, there are a number within the near vicinity of it.

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"These include a Roman rectilinear enclosure 140m to the north-west; finds of worked flint and a late Bronze Age socketed axe from the allotments immediately to the north, and an early Neolithic stone axe from the northern end of Falstaff Street.

"In addition, it is understood that the land adjacent to the site was used as a prisoner of war camp during World War II.

"On present evidence, the proposed development site is therefore considered to have low-moderate potential for archaeological remains of prehistoric, Roman and 20th century date."

Shropshire Council's highways department say that the development is "acceptable".

Shrewsbury Town Council raised no objection to the plans but the Shropshire Councillor for the area, Alexander Phillips, has objected to the plans.

He raised concerns over the pressure on the sewage works nearby, lack of parking, and the scale of the development.

The central planning committee were set to make a decision on the plans today.